Again, I pose the question: have we as the students of Cairn University forgotten someone? Allow me to tell the story of a group once forgotten, but now seeking revival: Student Missionary Fellowship (SMF).

Let’s begin by answering the question everyone first asks: what is SMF?

SMF is a student organization with the goal of fostering fellowship among and equipping students pursuing missionary work. Its members meet to pray for global evangelism efforts and missionaries on the field, support and equip each other, and encourage a community among like-minded students.

That’s so cool! But where has it been? And why was it forgotten?

For many years, SMF was an integral part of Cairn’s community, running events and helping students prepare for future missions work. They began the Global Feast during Global Mission Week, where students could sign up to represent a country by cooking some of its cultural food. However, as group attendance diminished, the group dispersed for a time.

Where is it now?

SMF rebooted last year, in 2017. They restarted the Global Feast, and continued doing what it did best: connecting students interested in missions and keeping missions in the forefront of student’s minds. The only problem was that, as a new group, not many people knew about it. This year, it hopes to change that, so it can reach more students and support the next generation of missionaries.

What can we expect out of SMF in the coming year?

SMF’s next meeting will be held on November 5, at 6:30 in BL 232. Students are invited to come hear from a special guest speaker, a missionary doing work in Cape Verde, Africa. Meetings typically include a time to learn about the mission efforts in a chosen country, followed by a time of prayer for conflict, problems, and missionaries within the country. Members can volunteer to present a country to the group in whatever way they choose, from a powerpoint, to cultural foods, to songs in the native language. Meetings will be held every other monday following, specifically, November 19, and December 3 at the same time and place. Students should also be on the lookout for a movie night and a prayer night later in the semester.

Consider this to be your invitation. If you or a friend is interested in missions, or simply want to pray for missionary work around the world, check out Student Missionary Fellowship and see what it’s all about.